Engine starter



D. L. REIF ENGINE STARTER Jan. l0, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1953 SLW? 20 D. L. REIF ENGINE STARTER Jan. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1951 United States Patent 2,730,092 ENGINE STARTER David L. Reif, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Clinton Machine Company, Clinton, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 6, 1951, Serial No. 235,554 Claims. (Cl. 123185) My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an engine starter adapted for imparting initial rotation to an engine shaft for the purposes of starting the engine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a starter of this class so arranged and constructed that the backward thrust resulting from'back-ring will not be imparted to the person starting the engine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a starter of this class of structure whereby a rotatable member may be brought into contact with 4a member carried on the shaft and held in frictional engagement therewith while being rotated to elfect the initial rotation of the engine and which normally remains out of contact.

Another, object of the invention is the provision of a starter of this class which will be simple in structure, safe in operation, economical of manufacture, durable, compact and highly elicient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated and it is intended that the present disclosure shall be considered but the preferred embodiment.

Forming a part of this application are drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational View of the invention with parts broken away,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 with parts broken away,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. l.A

As shown in the drawings, the invention is adapted for use with an engine having a housing 14 enclosing a body 15. A cup 17 is mounted on the engine shaft 18 and held in position by means of the nut 18a bearing against the washer 19, this cup 17 projecting through an opening 20 formed in the Wall of the housing 14. This is a conventional construction used on internal combustion engines of a certain type.

The invention embodies a supporting frame having oppositely disposed side walls 21 and 22 connected together by a front plate 23 having a central opening 24 formed therein. Extending outwardly from one corner of the frame is a lug 25 through which is projected a screw 26 to secure the frame in position on the housing 14. A lug 27 projects outwardly from one corner of the frame and is provided with a notch 29 adapted to engage around a stud 30 extending outwardly from the housing 14. A similar lug 28 projects outwardly from another corner of the frame and is provided with a notch 29 adapted to engage around a stud 30 extending outwardly from the housing 14. Mounted lixedly on the front plate 23 of the frame is a cup-shaped shield 31, into which projects the open end of the cup 17.

Extending through the opening formed in the plate 23 is a stub shaft 33 having adjacent one end a peripheral collar 34 on the periphery of which are formed the teeth ICG 35 and the pockets 36, shown in Fig. 3. Embracing this collar forming portion 34 is a plurality of rings 37, clamped between a pair of cup-shaped discs 38 and 39 by means of the rivets 40. 'I'hese discs 38 and 39 each have a central opening therein which embraces the member 33. Formed in these plates 37 are pockets 92 which are adapted to receive the balls 93, shown in Fig. 3. Formed in the periphery of these plates 37 at spaced-apart points are notches 41, in which engage'projections 43, which project inwardly from the friction rim 42 which is mounted in embracing relation onthe wheel formed from the members 37, 38 and 39. This member 42 is formed from suitable frictional material, such as brake shoe lining, rubber, fibre and the like, so that whenl brought into engagement with the inner surface of the cup 17 a relative movement between the rim 42 and the cup 17 will not be effected. Consequently a rotation of the rim 42 will effect a rotation of the cup 17 in unison therewith and consequently a rotation of the shaft 18 of the engine.

Embracing the member 33 is a bushing 44, as shown in Fig. 2. Embracing this bushing 44 is a sleeve 45 which projects through an opening 46 formed in the plate 47. This plate 47 is held in position on the sleeve 45 by peening a portion 46 of the sleeve upwardly against the face of the plate 47 so as to retain this plate in engagement with the shoulders 46a on the sleeve 45. Extending outwardly from oneside of the plate is a tongue 48. Formed in one edge of the plate, as shown in Fig. 4, is a slot 49. Slots 50 and 51 are also formed in this plate 47 through which extend the rivets 52 and 54 (Fig. 4 and Fig. 2). These rivets extend through the plate 23 of the frame and serve to retain the shield 31 in position thereon. A rivet 53 serves to rockably mount the plate 47 on the frame, this rivet 53 being similar to the rivet 52 and extending through the shield 31 and the frame plate 23.

A pulley is used in the invention and is formed from a pair of discs. One of these discs 56 embraces the end of the stub shaft 33, as shown in Fig. 2, there being a central opening 57 formed in the disc 56. The marginal portion of this disc 56 is axially offset as at 58 and a shoulder 72 is thus formed which, as shown in Fig. 4, is a camlike formation. VThis disc 56 is in engagement with the Vface of a disc 59 and sealed thereto, this disc 59 being angularly turned at its periphery so that these discs form a groove 58 for reception of a exible cord. The disc 59 is also reinforced by offset depressions 61 formed in spaced-apart circumferential relation. A screw 62 threaded into the stub shaft 33 serves to retain the disc 59 in close engagement with the end face of the stub shaft 33. Mounted on this stub shaft and projecting outwardly from the end face thereof and extending through the disc 59 is a stud 63, about which is attached the end 64 of a helical spring 65. The other end 66 of this spring is secured to a stud 32 which is secured to a lug 22:1, projecting outwardly from the side walls 22 of the supporting frame (see Fig. l and Fig. 6). g

A cover 67 is provided and is held in position by the screw 63 threaded into the stud 75, which is mountedY on the plate 47. This cover 67l has, adjacent its attached end, an opening 69 through which may be led a exible cord 70 which is adapted to be wound upon the sheave formed by the discs 56 and 59. One end 71 of this flexible cord 70 is secured to a stud 71a, which extends between and is mounted on the discs 56 and 59. By forming the shoulder 72 in the cam-like formation shown in Fig. 4 the end 71, which is doubled upon itself and extended around the stud 71a, will thus seat inwardly from the base groove 58 and permit an even winding-of the cord 70 on the sheave. The cord 70 is led around a pulley 74 which is mounted on the stud 75. A collar 76 is provided with a reduced sleeve 77 which extends through an opening gaseosa 3 arri the .este .Passestbrgasb this aeek arid Cellar .and

is provided with a gripping llgnob 94.

The construction is such that when the stub shaft 33 is ratatesi. clockwise, show-nin -:Fig. r3, the nremberlav'ltwiu 'be trot-ated. clockwise carrying with it the trim ft2-.and at :In .use the Ystructure would bev mounted @as `described .and the.. Qperator, when, desiring toY start theengne, .would .seize ithe kilbb94-eud1rawthe cord 7.0 Aoutwardlyseas t0 iunwind .it ,This v unwindins of the cord would. of

,-eonrse, 1be against the spring, but, at the same time,i

wonldgbe winding `Atftheinitial .pullof thelnob 94 the :plate 47,w9i1ld reek;unward1y,swusing on 4its pir/0h53. lhisteutwardroeleing is .limited by .the length :of the ,slot fibrin which thestus ,Wouldensase during thisroeking movement .As the plate .47 rbeksupwardly the periphrerxef tbe-rima? willensagetthenner surfaeeofthe eur 17 and through frictional contact therewith cause the up L17.to 1 ot at e in n nison withthe rim 4 2. When Vthe teilgiaefeltsfwhile tberimzilis in engagement vwith the `cup il?, theriniil and its associated parts may travel -freely about the -member 34, the balls 93 riding into the lpoclgets 92. Asisoon as the outward pull on the cord is .released the cord will be rewound on the sheave by the s pringaetion and the plate 47 with its connected parts will'swing downwardly to its normal position, which may .be termed the neutral positionbecause the rim 42 would .thenbe concentrically spaced from the inner surface of fthe ebp 17 .tItwill benoted that the cord used lfor rotating the cup `17 tis; spring wound so-that the operator does not have to 1first vwind the cord around thepart to be rotated, as is customary with the conventionalform of mechanism for starting -anengine of this-type. In the event of a backre on theengine the Vreverse thrust delivered to thememgber A42 willghavea tendency to disengage the member 42 from. the. `:up y17 so that the sudden-reverse rotation is not Ktransmitted to the hand ofthe operator. In this action thespring also functions as a recoil absorbent member.

.Experience has shown that this type of engine starter is .one that may be easily and quickly operated and one .which :has proven Ahighly efficient in use, -while at the .same :time it isdurable and a minimum wear on the ilex- `ible cord is effected. .Due to the construction and operaf tionof the mechanism facility in operating is enhanced over conventional types of starting mechanisms.

4What'I claim is:

1. |A11 enginestarting mechanism of the class described `adapted for imparting initial rotation to an engine shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup, iixedly Vmounted on said engine shaft in coaxial relation therewith; a .rotatable friction member positioned within said cup vand normallyspaced, at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatable on an axis normally in alignmentwith the axis of said shaft; a swingable support- ,ing member for supporting said friction member and swingable into position for engaging the periphery of `s aid friction member .with the inner surfaceof said c up and a manually operable mechanism for simultaneously effecting a swinging of saidsupport for engaging said friction member with said cup and effecting a rotation of said 'frieden member- 2. YAn engine starting mechanism ofthe class described adapted for imparting initial rotation to an engine shaft v comprising: a rotatableengine-shaft; a cup'xedly mount- .ed on said engine in coaxial relation therewith; a rotatable vfriction member positioned in said cup and -normally sp a .;ed, at its periphery, from the inner lsurface of ysaid G tlp Vand rotatable on an axis normally .in alignment with .the axissf Said Shaft; a lswrlsable support vfor supporting zsaidtfrigniori rnember and swingable -into position for Lengaging vthe periphery of said friction member with the .apetece :of said oop; a rotatable .clutch mechanism :forqimparting vrotation to said Agtfriction member in1one directies? said trieben member .beine freely r- Qtaiabie in seid .diteettemelatireteneis .elriteh; a rotatable .sheave carried by said support and rotatable in one direction for effecting a rotation of said clutch in said direction; a flexible cord wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said supportinto position for engaging said friction member andthe innersurface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said sheave in said direction.

3. An engine starting mechanism of the class described adapted for .imparting initial rotation to an engine shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup xedly mounted on said engine shaft in coaxial relation therewith and faced outwardly .from one end thereof; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced, atfitsperipher from the `innersurface of said Clip ,androtatable onan axis normallyin alignment with the axis,of `said .shaft;,a.swingable support forsupportng said y friction member and Aswingable .into :position Vfor en- Vgaging Ethe vEbrilpliery of s aid friction member with the inner' surface of said cup; a rotatable clutch mechanism for imparting rotation to said friction member vin one direotion, said friction -member being freely rotatable in .said direction relative to fsaid clutch; a rotatable sheave carried by said support and; rotatable in one direction for V effectinga rotationof said clutch in said direction; a ilexible cord .wound yon Ysaidsheave and vunwindable therefrom forswinging saidsupport into position for engaging said friction Qmember and the inner surface of said cup and eifecting a rotation yof said sheave in said direction; and aspringforrotating said .sheave in the opposite direction for winding said cord thereon.

4. An engine startingmechanism of the class described adapted vfor impartinginitial rotation -to an engine shaft comprising: va rotatable engine shaft; a cup fxedly monnted ononeendofsaid shaft in coaxial relation therewith and faced outwardly therefrom; a rotatable friction member positioned. in Asaid cupv and normally spaced, at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup androtatable on an axis normally in alignment with the axis of said shaft; a swingable support for supporting said friction member and swingable into position for engaging the periphery ofsaid .friction member with the inner sur-face lof .St-lid Cup; e rotatable veluteh Arrleehanisrn .for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction, said friction member .being freely rotatable in said .direction relative to said clutch; a rotatable sheave carried by said support and rotatable in one direction for effecting a rotation ofl said .clutch in said direction; a flexible cord Wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engagingv said friction member and .the inner surface of said cup and effecting a lrotation of Ysaid sheave in said direction; and a spring for rotating said sheave in the opposite direction for -winding said cord thereon; and a stationary shield Ypositior 1ed oyer the open end .of .said cup for enclosing the same.

'5. An engine starting mechanism of the class described adapted for imparting Yinitial rotation to an engine shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup xedly mounted onone end of said shaft .in coaxial relation therewith and faced outwardly therefrom; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced, at its periphery, from the .inner .surface of said cup and `rotatable on an axis normally in alignment with the axis of said shaft); a swingable support for supporting said'friction vmember and swingable vinto .position for engaging the periphery of said friction member withthe linner Vsurface. of s aidlcup; a rotatable clutch mechanism for imparting rotation to said, friction member in one direction, said friction member being freely rotatable in said direction -relative to saidclutch; a rotatable sheave carried =by -said support and rotatable in one direction for effecting a rotation of said clutch in said direction; a .exible cord -wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom'for swinging-said support into-position for engaging :said ifnictionamem'ber and theinner surface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said sheave in said direction; and a spring for rotating said sheave in the opposite direction for winding said cord thereon; and a stationary shield positioned over the open end of said cup for enclosing the same; and a housing for enclosing said spring and said sheave and said clutch mechanism.

6. An engine starting mechanism for imparting initial rotation to a shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup-shaped member mounted on one end of said engine shaft coaxial therewith and faced outwardly therefrom; a rotatable friction member projecting inwardly of said cup through the open end thereof and normally spaced, at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatable on an axis normally in alignment with the axis of said shaft; a swingable support carried by said housing for supporting said friction member and swingable into position for engaging the inner surface of said cup with the periphery of said friction member; a rotatable clutch mechanism for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction, said friction member being freely rotatable in said direction relative to said clutch mechanism; a rotatable sheave carried by said support and rotatable in one direction for effecting a rotation of said clutch in said direction; and a exible cord wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engaging said friction member with the inner surface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said sheave in said direction.

7. An engine starting mechanism for imparting initial rotation to a shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup-shaped member fixedly mounted on one end of said engine shaft coaxial therewith and faced outwardly therefrom; a swingable support carried by said housing; a rotatable stub shaft carried by said support and projecting at one end through the open end of said cup into the interior thereof; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced, at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and engageable at its periphery with the inner surface of said cup upon swinging of said swingable support out of normal position and rotatable on an axis normally in alignment with the axis of said shaft; a clutch mechanism associated with said stub shaft and said friction member for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction upon rotation of said stub shaft in said direction, said friction member being freely rotatable in said direction relatively to said stub shaft; a rotatable sheave carried by said support and rotatable in one direction for rotation of said stub shaft in said one direction; and a exible cord wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engaging said friction member with the inner surface of said cup and elfecting a rotation of said stub shaft in said direction.

8. An engine starting mechanism for imparting initial rotation to said shaft comprising: a rotatable engine shaft; a cup-shaped member iixedly mounted on one end of said shaft coaxial therewith and faced outwardly therefrom; a swingable support; a rotatable stub shaft carried by said support and projecting at one end through the open end of said cup into the interior thereof; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and engageable at its periphery with the inner surface of said cup upon swinging of said swingable support out of normal position and rotatable on an axis normally in alignment with the axis of said shaft; a clutch mechanism associated with said stub shaft and said friction member for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction upon rotation of said stub shaft in said direction, said friction member being freely rotated in said direction relative to said stub shaft; a rotatable sheave carried by said stub shaft and rotatable in unison therewith; a exible cord wound on 'said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engaging said friction member with the inner surface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said stub shaft in said direc; ion.

9. In an engine having a housing and a rotating shaft provided with a cup-shaped member iixedly mounted at the center of its base on said shaft and rotatable in unison therewith an engine starting mechanism for imparting initial rotation to said shaft comprising: a swingable support carried by said engine; a rotatable stub shaft carried by said support and projecting at one end through the open end of said cup into the interior thereof; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and engageable at its periphery with the inner surface of said cup upon swinging of said swingable support out of normal position; a clutch mechanism associated with said stub shaft and said friction member for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction upon rotation of said stub shaft in said direction, said friction member being freely rotated in said direction relative to said stub Shaft; a rotatable sheave carried by said stub shaft and rotatable in unison therewith; a tiexible cord wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engaging said friction member with the inner surface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said stub shaft in said direction; an enclosing housing mounted on said swingable supoprt and enclosing said sheave; and a spring mounted within said enclosing housing and connected at one end to said stub shaft and at the opposite end to said enclosing housing for, upon winding said cord from said sheave, rotating said sheave in the opposite direction for winding said cord thereon, one end of said cord passing through an opening in said housing to the exterior thereof.

l0. In an engine having a housing and a rotating shaft provided with a cup-shaped member iixedly mounted at the center of its base on said shaft and rotatable in unison therewith an engine starting mechanism for imparting initial rotation to said shaft comprising: a swingable support carried by said engine; a rotatable stub shaft carried by said support and projecting at one end through the open end of said cup into the interior thereof; a rotatable friction member positioned in said cup and normally spaced at its periphery, from the inner surface of said cup and rotatably mounted on said stub shaft and engageable at its periphery with the inner surface of said cup upon swinging of said swingable support out of normal position; a clutch mechanism associated with said stub shaft and said friction member for imparting rotation to said friction member in one direction upon rotation of said stub shaft in said direction, said friction member being freely rotated in said direction relative to said stub shaft; a rotatable sheave carried by said stub shaft and rotatable in unison therewith; a flexible cord wound on said sheave and unwindable therefrom for swinging said support into position for engaging said friction member with the inner surface of said cup and effecting a rotation of said stub shaft in said direction; an enclosing housing mounted on said swingable support and enclosing said sheave; and a spring mounted within said enclosing housing and connected at one end to said stub shaft and at the opposite end to said enclosing housing for, upon winding said cord from said sheave, rotating said sheave in the opposite direction for winding said cord thereon, one end of said cord passing through an opening in said housing to the exterior thereof; and a cupshaped member mounted on said stub shaft and overlapping at its opposite end with the open end of said cup on said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

